I’m not usually one for visual novels, but and Roger, creators yona and Yasuhiro Nakashima have produced a triumph of the format — one that utilizes interactive gameplay matched with dynamic audio and visual effects in flawless harmony.
It’s the type of story that’s best enjoyed completely blind, in my opinion. So if you have any interest in a title that I believe to be the pinnacle of its genre, stop reading this review right this second and cough up the $5 it’ll cost you to enjoy and Roger. I wouldn’t want to do you the disservice of spoiling even a moment of this masterpiece.
Overview
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Developer: Tearyhand Studio
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Publisher: Kodansha
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Platforms: PC, Switch, Switch 2 (Reviewed), iOS, Android
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Release Date: July 21, 2025 (PC, Switch); June 18, 2026 (Switch 2, iOS, Android)
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Price: $4.99
A Blind Encounter
Missing out on the initial release on PC and Switch, I approached and Roger entirely blind with the Switch 2 release. Learning as little as possible about this game is the ideal way to experience this masterclass in storytelling. New to the Switch 2 version is mouse control compatibility, which works very well with the point-and-click, click-and-drag control scheme.
Any title that bends the limits of its format is sure to grab my attention. Using comic book framing in more muted moments before suddenly giving way to the juxtaposition of utilizing the entire screen made instances of critical player involvement feel significant. It’s as if the story simply wouldn’t advance as planned if I failed to hold up my end of the bargain.
Slide puzzles, stealth sections, and simple button presses are all expertly implemented, allowing the player to empathize with the challenges the main character endures through what may appear to be routine tasks within the surface-level confines of the accompanying framed scene.
Art Direction – A Visual Feast
The art direction is the obvious draw of this title. Hand-drawn characters and scenes are carefully animated frame-by-frame, and everything on the screen maintains this art design — from the interactive buttons and knobs to the mouse cursor.
The game’s use of color envelops the entire screen in feeling, wrapping happy memories in warm colors while chilling sour memories with a cool palette. It’s a visual language that speaks directly to the player’s emotions without ever needing to say a word.
Sound Design – Precision Tuning
The sound design sets the tone with exceptional precision. The hair on my arms stood at attention when a visual anomaly appeared with its own disconcerting instrumental. You’ll feel every emotion in complete synchronicity with the main character — and that’s all thanks to the audio cues delicately blended into the timeline.
When the story wants to convey a sense of panic mixed with hopelessness, you may find the screen littered with erroneous buttons, for example, that only multiply as the tension climbs. As your anxiety levels peak, so too does the challenge, and the added control provided by the interactive gameplay only gives way to a stronger sense of hopelessness when said control is suddenly stripped away.
The Heart of the Story
The heart behind and Roger‘s story is so rooted in relatable themes that any player could empathize with, regardless of how personal the subject matter may or may not be. As discovering the story and the underlying meaning of said story is the basis of this title’s gameplay, I’ll avoid going into any detail about what actually happens in the game’s three-chapter, 90-minute runtime.
Let me be entirely candid: I shed tears during my first playthrough of and Roger, and I don’t even have a personal stake in its themes. That blew my mind.
Emotion drives the story in every moment, and this visual novel’s ability to place you within the perspective of the protagonist drives home every story beat, every memory, and every haunting realization.
Verdict
The story is short — you should have no problem finishing the entire game in a single sitting — and by design, there are no filler moments, save for the intermissions between chapters. Bending the boundaries of visual novel conventions, and Roger shares a poignant, beautiful story that’s best experienced first-hand.
At just $5, it’s an absolute steal. Do yourself a favor and play it.
